Business
Kier dropped from major infrastructure project
The construction firm’s role in the King’s Dyke crossing project has ended following discussions with Cambridgeshire CC and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
Public sector drives growth at Galliford Try
Developments with local authorities have delivered a boost to construction firm Galliford Try.
£65m Growth Deal is 'game-changer' for Moray
Moray has secured £65m for its Growth Deal in an agreement that has been heralded as a ‘game-changer’.
Audit watchdog mauls firms for 'poor quality' work
The biggest auditors in the UK have come in for sharp criticism from the industry watchdog.
Brokenshire unveils audit review
Details of an independent review that will look at the impact of reforms to local government audit were today announced by communities secretary James Brokenshire.
Trust in planners 'almost non-existent'
Public trust in councils to make planning decisions in the best interests of communities is ‘almost non-existent,’ research has found.
Public backs social enterprises to deliver services
Almost nine out of 10 UK residents would prefer for outsourced services to be delivered by social enterprises instead of the private sector, according to a new YouGov poll.
EXCLUSIVE: Variation victory as LGA lobbies Treasury
The Treasury’s view of children’s services has been dealt a further blow after research linked 70% of spend variation to factors outside councils’ control.
Cost of cladding replacement fund could rise to £330m
The cost of removing and replacing unsafe cladding on privately owned high-rise buildings could rise to as much as £330m, it has emerged.
Sunak swipe at EY after audit deadline failure
Local government minister Rishi Sunak has criticised professional services firm EY after it admitted 19 councils will miss their deadline for publishing accounts.
Serco signs deals worth £120m
Serco has put pen to paper on local authority contracts worth £120m this year.
Capita to retain some Barnet contracts
Barnet LBC is to leave some outsourced services in the hands of Capita despite concerns over quality.
What can local authorities learn from the local industrial strategies signed so far?
Last week Manchester Combined Authority backed by local public and private sector leaders agreed England’s second local industrial strategy (LIS). Adam Cunnington says local government is central to this process
Jobs cull for Kier
Kier Group is to cut around 1,200 jobs and make savings of £55m over the next two years amid a planned sell-off of many of its commercial interests.
No new cash for Greater Manchester local industrial strategy
A former senior civil servant and council chief has questioned the impact of Greater Manchester’s local industrial strategy after it came with no new money.
EXCLUSIVE: Unison to make 'bold' pay claim
Unison is poised to ask local government employers for a 10% pay rise in a ‘bold’ claim being submitted for 2020/21, The MJ has learnt.
New not-for-profit audit supplier suggested
A not-for-profit audit supplier could be created to work alongside existing and any new firms entering the market, it has been suggested.
Woodford moves to reassure Kent after trading suspension
City heavyweight Neil Woodford has sought to reassure Kent CC and other investors after they were blocked from withdrawing from his multi-billion pound fund.
Municipal bond grants launched
Grants to help councils invest in a new type of municipal bond for funding environmentally-friendly, low-carbon infrastructure projects have been launched.
Uncertain wait for pension funds
Pension funds are mired in uncertainty as they wait to find out whether the Supreme Court accepts the Government’s request to appeal the McCloud case.